A new coach has been unveiled for Brock University women’s basketball program.
Ashley MacSporran will be taking over the Badgers women’s team.
Brock says it marks a new era.
MacSporran played her university basketball at Laurentian before a knee injury ended her career.
She moved into coaching, getting initial experience in B.C. before serving as head coach of the Concordia University College women’s team in Edmonton.
She joined the Guelph Gryphons as assistant coach for two years and then moved to the University of Windsor as an assistant last season.
She said her experience as a player helps her connect with the team.
“I understand where the players are coming from. I can relate to them,” said MacSporran, who describes her coaching style as enthusiastic and positive. “I’ve found it easier to make calls and get the players to trust me a little bit better because I’ve been there and been through those experiences.”
She said that while Brock’s past success is something she’ll strive for, she sees this as a new beginning for the Badgers women’s team.
“It’s definitely a fresh start. How we represent ourselves in the community, it’s going to be all fresh and brand new,” she said. “I’ve got some great ideas to jump along with what Brock is already doing. The more you get these young women out in the community and get them involved, it just helps them excel and grow later in life. It’s not all about basketball.”